chamlin
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Best "Normalizing" Strategies
Situation: Vocal track recorded, punch-in overdubs done later. Volumes not consistent throughout the track due to the options chosen to comp. Need suggestions regarding how to best make the track sound "whole". Options: 1. Re-record track. If not possible, then... Thanks!
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DaneStewart
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Re:Best "Normalizing" Strategies
2011/09/30 19:03:05
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The most straight forward and simple method is to simply cut each section into its own clip and apply a volume envelope. Raise or lower the envelopes to get everything as even as possible BEFORE you add any new compression or limiting. Split into as many separate clips as you feel is needed. This is fast, solid and dependable. AND you're not adding in any new problems by trying to use a limiter or compressor at this first stage.
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Beagle
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Re:Best "Normalizing" Strategies
2011/10/01 07:55:32
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+1 to DaneStewart.
use volume envelopes first, then add compression.
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CJaysMusic
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Re:Best "Normalizing" Strategies
2011/10/01 16:02:27
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The best normalizing strategy is to not use normalizing.
Also, if your mouth was not at the same exact position to the mic when doing these punch ins, the vocal will sound different in all the parts that where punched in. The proximity effect will cause the vocal to sound fuller or thinner, depending on the mouth to mic distance for each take.
Cj
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mixsit
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Re:Best "Normalizing" Strategies
2011/10/01 21:42:15
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True that. Sometimes level is just part of the fix.
What I do, and this is assuming the deviation in more than the 6db clip envelope range -(live band tracks!
Once a center for norm fader level's in, use the trim slider (+18?) by ear on the section to find the correction level, zero trim back out and do that number in process audio -gain.
For me the main difference is 'normalize is looking at some random peak, but I want the average to land at the target level.
Don't have much use at all for normalize.
Wayne Smith Part time long time.. CathouseSound Mother Ships - StudioCat DAWs Portals - RME
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zgraf
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Re:Best "Normalizing" Strategies
2011/10/02 11:48:11
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Volume envelopes are probably best, but if you're lazy, maybe try a multiband compressor on each vocal track. Tweak so you can see the compression clamping down nicely on each band -- and then scale back the output gain after the comp so the level fits in with your mix. Thinking a multiband might smooth things out a bit more evenly over various freq ranges than a regular comp...
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batsbrew
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Re:Best "Normalizing" Strategies
2011/10/03 13:28:37
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if it were me, and i did not want to retrack the vox (i think THAT is your best option!).......
then i would do a combo of what dane suggests, and zgraf.....
mix them all with a volume envelope first, THEN apply a MBC and find the sweet spot where all of the different clips are hitting the compressor at about the SAME input strength, and get the attack and release figured out that best works for this particular track.....
using it as a 'glue' of sorts, to get all the tracks to sound more 'similar'.
it means you will probably be squishing some of the peaks, that is the compromise to get the whole thing to play nice.
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mixsit
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Re:Best "Normalizing" Strategies
2011/10/04 01:02:46
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batsbrew
if it were me, and i did not want to retrack the vox (i think THAT is your best option!).......
then i would do a combo of what dane suggests, and zgraf.....
mix them all with a volume envelope first, THEN apply a MBC and find the sweet spot where all of the different clips are hitting the compressor at about the SAME input strength, and get the attack and release figured out that best works for this particular track.....
using it as a 'glue' of sorts, to get all the tracks to sound more 'similar'.
it means you will probably be squishing some of the peaks, that is the compromise to get the whole thing to play nice.
If you're going for an auto gain fix I would think then that would still be gain (clip) envelopes not track fader first. That way it's a two for one; Leveling that also plays into threshold.
Wayne Smith Part time long time.. CathouseSound Mother Ships - StudioCat DAWs Portals - RME
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Bristol_Jonesey
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Re:Best "Normalizing" Strategies
2011/10/04 04:28:50
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The problem with applying compression as a means to level out clips with vastly differing volumes is setting up the compressor threshold. When you set it low enough so that it's catching the peaks of the low level signal, this same threshold will be acting on ALL of the higher level signal, so you won't be getting consistent compression from clip to clip.
Another strategy you might want to consider is to move all the overdubs to a brand new track and mix the resulting 2 tracks separately. That way you'll get consistent compression without the need for extensive automation prior to hitting the compressor.
Though I do like mixsit's suggestion of using clip gain envelopes if you don't want a separate track.
You might get less than stellar results if your primary strategy is just to plug in an MBC and hope for the best.
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AT
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Re:Best "Normalizing" Strategies
2011/10/04 13:03:32
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Retrack.
If not, then as said above split the tracks into louder and softer takes. Raise the level on the softer ones, using vol envelope. Reverse the process for the louder so they all are in the same ballpark. Then a track comp on each to get the levels even and stable (as much as possible). Route each track to a vocal bus where you can add another comp/limiter to further refine the volumes. A little on the track and a little on the bus is better than stomping on either for a smoother sounding vox.
Don't forget the reverb and other effects while setting the comps - adjust w/ those in the mix. If you don't things can get funky.
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batsbrew
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Re:Best "Normalizing" Strategies
2011/10/04 14:07:58
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If you're going for an auto gain fix Apparently, i didn't explain this well enough. my method is to use VOLUME envelopes (gain implies a destructive edit) so, i would go thru and get all of the different clips throughout the vocal track, to be roughly the same volume, drawing envelopes. then, i would judiciously apply a MB compressor, using a single or pair of bands only, the 'power' bands, and use this to even it out even more, glueing the overall sound and vibe together... then i would either bounce that fixed track to a new track, so i could 'mix' it with another volume envelope... or send that balanced track to a 'vocal' buss, and automate that with a volume envelope for mixing. but honestly, i think you'd end up with a better track, by having another recording session, where everything is dialed in and consistent.
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DaneStewart
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Re:Best "Normalizing" Strategies
2011/10/04 18:12:52
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If you're still not feeling Normalized enough after all this, you could try a good Shrink. I understand they've made great progress with corrective psychology.
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timidi
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Re:Best "Normalizing" Strategies
2011/10/04 18:35:56
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You could always use Har-Bal.
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batsbrew
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Re:Best "Normalizing" Strategies
2011/10/04 18:39:28
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shrinks suck.
harbal kicks ass.
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johnnyV
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Re:Best "Normalizing" Strategies
2011/10/04 19:10:12
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I like the method above were the 2 different tracks are used then combining to one buss.This is assuming that there is only 2 different levels involved. If more then use volume envelopes, I would figure you can SEE the clips so should be easy to add nodes.
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mixsit
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Re:Best "Normalizing" Strategies
2011/10/05 04:01:27
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batsbrew
If you're going for an auto gain fix
Apparently, i didn't explain this well enough.
my method is to use VOLUME envelopes (gain implies a destructive edit)
so, i would go thru and get all of the different clips throughout the vocal track, to be roughly the same volume, drawing envelopes.
then, i would judiciously apply a MB compressor, using a single or pair of bands only, the 'power' bands, and use this to even it out even more, glueing the overall sound and vibe together...
then i would either bounce that fixed track to a new track, so i could 'mix' it with another volume envelope...
or send that balanced track to a 'vocal' buss, and automate that with a volume envelope for mixing.
Sorry for confusing the term, when I said 'auto gain I meant the compression. But my point was to do the first leveling before the track hits a compressor (gain envelopes). If your comp is on a sub group of the tracks than yes it would be the same- leveling pre compressor.
Wayne Smith Part time long time.. CathouseSound Mother Ships - StudioCat DAWs Portals - RME
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batsbrew
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Re:Best "Normalizing" Strategies
2011/10/05 10:42:09
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But my point was to do the first leveling before the track hits a compressor
yes, that's exactly what i was trying to say. fix it at the track level first, without tricks, by using envelopes to get all the different vocal tracks at roughly the same volume (not mixed) then apply a compressor, with the most astute method you can concoct, as the 'glue' between all the tracks. put this on the vocal buss, and buss all the vocal tracks to that one buss. this will help smooth out not only the few peaks and dips, but also, some of the tone anomolies. and volume automate the BUSS for the mix.
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Savex
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Re:Best "Normalizing" Strategies
2011/10/05 21:21:29
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cut each section into its own clip and apply a volume envelope. Raise or lower the envelopes to get everything as even as possible BEFORE you add any new compression or limiting
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batsbrew
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Re:Best "Normalizing" Strategies
2011/10/06 10:30:46
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isn't that a simple reiteration of what i already described?
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